马克思、老子与自然:改变中的意识

Marx, Lao Tzu, and Nature: Consciousness in Change

对自然的认识和态度关系到我们的生存方式与命运,因此,改变我们对自然的认识,培养生态意识是至关重要的。虽然马克思基于当时的科学成果提出了唯物主义,将自然看作是死的、惰性物质,但马克思对资本主义无止境欲望的批判则是深刻的,这与中国老子的思想深度契合。老子对自然的理解接近当代科学的最新发展,他强调去领会和拥有关于气的意识的实践的必要性,他对肆无忌惮的欲望提出了警告。当代科学的发展改变了我们对自然的理解,虽然自然仍旧存在着秩序,但要认识到线性秩序可能转变为混沌秩序。大量科学实验证明,人的心脏与精神和谐有着重要关系。从自然是活的(而不是死的)这一有机哲学的立场出发,使马克思与爱因斯坦以及当代科学的最新发展与时共进,将有助于我们走向生态文明。

This paper examines the question of education of future generations for an ecological consciousness. It argues that Marx's critique of capitalism derived from his scientific and materialistic base provide important insights. However, the knowledge of science has changed in the 20th century to include chaos theory and an awareness of 'subtle energies'that affect our daily lives. Marx's materialistic argument necessitates a reexamination of his concept of nature. Surprisingly, Lao Tzu's understanding of nature accords with these new scientific theories regarding natural forces. Both authors agree that consciousness emerges from experience or practice, not abstractions or ideal types. Changing consciousness then requires an appreciation of Nature as now understood by science and accessed through practice.QiGong is one possible practice that provides such access.